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Arrived in Australia
Convicts arrived to Australia. Catholics were not allowed to go to mass because it was believed that the Catholics, which where mostly Irish, would cause trouble and riots. Because of this, mass was banned which increased the bitter between the colony and the British Empire. -
First Priests
The British government allowed priests to migrate to Australia. The first priests to arrive in Australia were, James Harold, James Dixon and Peter O’Neil. Father Dixon held the first Australian Catholic mass for Catholics of the first fleet. -
Rebellion
Father Dixon’s work was being recognized in Rome and he was appointed Perfect Apostolic of New Holland. But due to the Castle Hill Rebellion in 1804 the authorities blamed Irish Catholics for the rebellion, making mass banned again. -
Father Jeremiah
Father Jeremiah O’Flynn was a priest who had just arrived in Sydney. He didn’t have legal documents to minister and told authorities that they were on the next ship. He was allowed to stay but not to minister. Ignoring this, Father O’Flynn proceeded to say mass and celebrate baptisms and marriages. Because of this, he was ordered to leave the colony, but he refused to go, hiding himself from authorities. When he handed himself in, he was deported from the colony in May 1818. -
Recognition
Father O’Flynn’s short ministry helped to publicise the colony’s desire for priests and influenced the British government in allowing the first official priests for the colony. Salaries were provided for two Catholic chaplains and by 1820 the Catholic Church came to be recognised and officially established an Australia. -
Vicar-General
Father William Ullathorne was appointed the first Vicar-General of New South Wales.
The number of Catholics increased from around 6000 people to 16,088 people. -
First Catholic Bishop of Australia
Father John Bede Polding was appointed the first Catholic Bishop of Australia. -
Perth's Catholics
Bishop Polding sent Father John Brady to Perth to minister to the convicts and establish missions for aboriginal people. After a trip to Europe, Father Brady returned with thirty priests, nuns and ecclesiastical students. -
Schools in Australia
The Jesuits had two schools in Australia. Sisters of Mercy had eight congregations. Christian Brothers had begun their work in Victoria and Marist Brothers had established a secondary school.
Catholics had to maintain and develop their own schools by their own efforts and sacrifices. It was often in the face of political and social opposition that Australian Catholics began to forge their own particular identity. -
Irish Character
Catholicism in Australia had developed distinctly Irish character. This was due to the number of Catholics of Irish background together with the influence of Irish bishops and members of religious orders. Many Irish Catholics still associated themselves with political events happening in Ireland and wanted their religious and national life organised as it was there. -
1884
With the arrival in Australia of Irish Bishop, Cardinal Patrick Francis Moran, the character of Australian Catholicism began to change. The Archbishop worked towards a Church that would become involved in social issues and he fought for justice in workplaces. He helped establish the St Vincent de Paul Society in Australia. Some Catholics criticised him for his way of doing things, claiming that he was not strong enough in standing up for Catholics. -
Archbishop Mannix
Archbishop Mannix arrived in Melbourne in 1913 and even though he had an Irish background, was welcomed as an Australian. He was prepared to stand up for Catholics' equality and was an advocate for social justice, particularly for the working class. Throughout the war years, Archbishop Mannix and other Australian bishops continued to attack the government over anti-Catholic policies, especially the education issue. -
Beginning of the War
With the outbreak of World War I between Britain and Germany, as a British ally, Australia was at war with Germany and its allies. During this time, Australian Catholics were attacked for being unpatriotic. The claim that they were not sharing in the war effort was heightened in 1916 when the Prime Minister, William Hughes, wanted to introduce conscription to bolster the decreasing numbers of volunteers for the war. Archbishop Mannix was the most vocal opponent of conscription. -
Archbishop Mannix and Conscription
When the people of Ireland, rebelled against British rule, Archbishop Mannix argued why the Irish in Australia should fight for Britain, which would not restore freedom to Ireland. The conscription issue symbolised the injustice that many Australian Catholics experienced, especially in Catholic education. Some controversy took place among Australian Catholics themselves and criticism of Catholics as being un-patriotic remained. -
Continued from Archbishop Mannix and Conscription
Archbishop Mannix not only argued against conscription, but insisted on a greater role for Catholics within the community. He demanded educational justice and wanted to develop Catholicism's political potential. Mannix was uncompromising in his moral vigour and refused to keep quiet. Catholics began to stand up for their beliefs and rights. Under his leadership, Australian Catholics began to appreciate their place in Australian society. They no longer had to fight for their survival. -
Catholicism Established
By 1940, Australian Catholics had established their place in Australian society. They were no longer outsiders, but comfortable with their identity, their Church and their faith. -
Percentages
The proportion of Catholics in Australia was 20.7 percent.
